#BETHE1TO BE THERE

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

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In times of great stress, loss, anxiety, etc what do we crave the most as humans? Companionship. Partnership. Support. Someone being there for us when we need it the most. Being there for someone has a tremendous impact on ones mental health. The number one reason people take their own lives is because they think they are a burden. By showing them that they are valued and not a burden, you can lower the risk of one taking their own life.

Choosing how you are there for someone is very important. People who want to end their life often times feel like a burden. If we can’t follow through with promises we make in being there for someone, we make them feel less important and more of a burden. Don’t stretch yourself to thin. Only commit to things you know you can 100% do for them. If you can’t commit to the type of support the individual needs, you can still provide support by finding someone who can help them with the specific type of support they require.

The ways you can be there for someone who is suicidal are virtually unlimited. They need to be tailored to the individual.

Some examples of being there for someone:

Listen to them. Actively listening to someone helps them see their value. You are investing your time to hear them talk.

Spend face to face time with them. Being their for someone in person can show a huge effort, commitment, and sacrifice you are making to show them that they matter and are more important than some other things in our lives.

Participate in activities together. Going out and engaging in activities that the person is interested in shows them that you value their interests.

Share your story of survival. If you have attempted to take your own life, tell them your story of survival. Show them the immediate proof in front of them as to how it gets better.

Ask them how you can help. See what they want you to do for them and follow through with it, as long as it is reasonable. This shows them that you respect their wishes and have their best interests in mind.

Check-in with them frequently. Touching base shows that you are thinking of them and are genuinely concerned about their well-being.

These are only a few ways you can be there for someone who is contemplating suicide. Formulate your action plan so it best helps the person in your life who is struggling. While doing this, make sure to respect their boundaries. Even if they say they don’t need help but you clearly understand they do, don’t force interaction. There are plenty of ways to support someone without forcing certain actions. Give it a few moments and breaths and then come back again.

In times of great stress, loss, anxiety, etc what do we crave the most as humans? Companionship. Partnership. Support. Someone being there for us when we need it the most. Being there for someone has a tremendous impact on ones mental health. The number one reason people take their own lives is because they think they are a burden. By showing them that they are valued and not a burden, you can lower the risk of one taking their own life.

Choosing how you are there for someone is very important. People who want to end their life often times feel like a burden. If we can’t follow through with promises we make in being there for someone, we make them feel less important and more of a burden. Don’t stretch yourself to thin. Only commit to things you know you can 100% do for them. If you can’t commit to the type of support the individual needs, you can still provide support by finding someone who can help them with the specific type of support they require.

The ways you can be there for someone who is suicidal are virtually unlimited. They need to be tailored to the individual.

Some examples of being there for someone:

Listen to them. Actively listening to someone helps them see their value. You are investing your time to hear them talk.

Spend face to face time with them. Being their for someone in person can show a huge effort, commitment, and sacrifice you are making to show them that they matter and are more important than some other things in our lives.

Participate in activities together. Going out and engaging in activities that the person is interested in shows them that you value their interests.

Share your story of survival. If you have attempted to take your own life, tell them your story of survival. Show them the immediate proof in front of them as to how it gets better.

Ask them how you can help. See what they want you to do for them and follow through with it, as long as it is reasonable. This shows them that you respect their wishes and have their best interests in mind.

Check-in with them frequently. Touching base shows that you are thinking of them and are genuinely concerned about their well-being.

These are only a few ways you can be there for someone who is contemplating suicide. Formulate your action plan so it best helps the person in your life who is struggling. While doing this, make sure to respect their boundaries. Even if they say they don’t need help but you clearly understand they do, don’t force interaction. There are plenty of ways to support someone without forcing certain actions. Give it a few moments and breaths and then come back again.